Overview
Canoe through Florida’s estuaries to the pristine white sand beaches of the Keys. You’ll paddle through a maze of islands and mangroves looking for dolphins, manatees, and pelicans. Spy white ibis, osprey, and possibly even a roseate spoonbill in this paradise where air plants and exotic flowers flourish. Take the Shark Valley Tram Tour of Everglades National Park, and visit a sub tropic wildlife preserve full of endangered birds and alligators. Join us on this trip to Florida’s paradise of uninhabited keys!
Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Welcome to Everglades National Park! Explore the Shark Valley Nature Preserve.
Your trip starts in the morning at the Shark Valley Nature Preserve. Take a National Park tram tour where endangered birds and alligators live. Learn about the freshwater sawgrass ecosystem. After the nature tour, set up camp, review personal gear, repack into dry bags, and review canoeing skills. Enjoy the evening with the group around a campfire.
Day 2: Spot dolphins, manatees, and pelicans on your 12 mile paddle into the Gulf of Mexico.
Start the day with great coffee at Collier Seminole State Park, the launching point to the Blackwater River. Travel about 12 miles out into Gullivan Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for dolphins, manatees, and pelicans on the way to your island campsite. Set up camp on the sandy beaches as you recount the day's paddle.
Day 3: Paddle to Whitehorse Key and explore the mangroves.
After a hearty breakfast, pack up and paddle to set up camp out at Whitehorse Key. Here there are wonderful opportunities for day trips further into the mangroves. Whitehorse Key has panoramic views of the wide open Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy a world-class sunset from the beach after dinner!
Day 4: Search for White Ibis and osprey as you paddle to beautiful Buttonwood Bay.
Travel up Fish Hawk Creek to Gator Bay and on toward beautiful Buttonwood Bay. Here you will see White Ibis, osprey, and possibly even a Roseate Spoonbill. Return to your campsite on Whitehorse Key in the evening for dinner, s'mores, and games.
Day 5: Paddle through calm channels toward Shell Key before setting up camp near Gullivan Bay.
Pack up camp and paddle through the channels towards Shell Key. Enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf during lunch. Paddle onward to setup camp near Gullivan Bay, preparing for the final day’s paddle.
Day 6: Enjoy one last day of paddling before saying farewell to your trip mates.
Paddle back through Gullivan Bay to the mouth of the Blackwater River. Arrive back at Collier Seminole State Park in the late afternoon. Those who use Wilderness Inquiry's van transportation can expect to return to Fort Myers that evening.
Dates & Fees
Wilderness Inquiry leads trips to the Florida Everglades but currently has no dates scheduled. If you have a group of people interested, we can set up a customized adventure just for you! Please contact us or request a trip quote below if you are interested in a group trip to this destination.
Request Trip Quote »What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: The 10,000 Islands offers a wide range of daily route options. Traveling will consist of paddling among the low-lying islands, bays, beaches, canals, and lakes in the Gulf of Mexico.
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